RoadVitals

1997 Chevrolet C10

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Jun 19, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
7
Latest May 11, 2009
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1997 Chevrolet C10, most frequently naming the suspension, airbags and engine categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Suspension228.6%
  • Airbags114.3%
  • Engine114.3%
  • Fuel system114.3%
  • Steering114.3%
  • Visibility114.3%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

7 campaigns cover this model year

View all 7

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov
08E050000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

Aug 11, 2008
1,921 units potentially affected
The defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
The risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
K2 MOTOR CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Jun 19, 2002
Crash reported

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A SUDDEN STOP IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. SHE T-BONED HIM ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN' T DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
8012201
Incident
Jun 19, 2002
Steering
Filed Oct 13, 2000

TRUCK OVER-STEERS TO THE LEFT, ESPECIALLY ON A LEFT HAND CURVE. THE STEERING WHEEL WILL MOMENTARLY PULL HARD TO THE LEFT - THEN RETURN TO CENTER. DURING THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WILL UNEXPECTEDLY VEER LEFT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A FIRM GRIP ON THE WHEEL AND COUNTER ACT THE HARD PULL. A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER INDICTAED THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURANCE ON THESE VEHICLES AND THAT REPLACING A SENSOR IN THE POWER STEERING UNIT WOULD FIX IT. HOWEVER, THIS REPAIR IS NOT COVERED, SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND CHEVROLET HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I CHECKED NHTSA'S WEB SITE AND FOUND NUMERIOUS COMPLAINTS THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR TO MINE. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE - CHEVROLET HAS A PROBLEM AND THEY AND THE NHTSA KNOWS ABOUT IT - AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A PROGRAM IN PLACE TO MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND GET IT RESOLVED - WITHOUT IT COSTING THE CONSUMERS 100'S OF DOLLARS.*AK

NHTSA ID
734253
Incident
Apr 1, 2000
Visibility
Filed Jul 21, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WILL HAVE TO MOVE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AROUND SO THAT THEY CAN RESTART. BUT, THEY WILL FAIL AGAIN.THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY.*AK

NHTSA ID
865807
Incident
Jun 1, 2000
Fuel system
Filed Apr 4, 2000

PULLED INTO GARAGE AND THERE WAS A A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. DISCOVERED A GASOLINE PUDDLE WHERE THE FUEL LINES GO INTO THE THROTTLE BODY. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICING DEALER, THIS LEAK, WH EN BAD ENOUGH FORCES GASOLINE INTO THE MAIN WIRE HARNESS . THIS LEAK , AS I UNDERSTAND IT, RESULTED FROM THE FAILURE OF "O" RINGS WHERE THE FUEL LINE GOES INTO THE THROTTLE BODY. I THINK THE "O" RING FAILURE MIGHT RESULT FROM DEFECTIVE "O" RINGS. I DON"T KNOW THAT FOR POSITIVE. I CAN NOPT HELP BUT THINK THIS FAILURE IS A SIGNIGICANT SAFETY HAZARD. I AM AWARE OF TWO MORE SIMILAR FAILURES IN THIS AREA. IN ADDITION TO THE SAFETY HAZARD THE C OST FOR REPAIR OF THIS FAILURE WAS $2,268.25. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THIS FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID
720985
Incident
Jan 21, 2000
Suspension
Filed Jul 28, 1999

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING HARD PULLING TO THE LEFT, CONSUMER HAS REPLACED TIRES, STRUTS, SHOCK, BRAKES BUT PULLING STILL EXPERIENCED. NLM

NHTSA ID
547575
Suspension
Filed Jul 23, 1999

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT. YH

NHTSA ID
547477
Engine
Filed Feb 21, 1997

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE THE EXHAUST SYSTEM VIBRATES AND ONECAN SMELL FUMES. TOOK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A DESIGN PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
809205
Incident
Jan 22, 1997

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

17-NA-073

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action courtesy transportation policy.

16NA260

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

THIS TECHNICAL BULLETIN PROVIDES A PROCEDURE TO REPROGRAM THE MEDIA DISC PLAYER WITH THE LATEST CALIBRATIONS TO CORRECT A CONDITION OF THE REAR ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM NOT OPERATING AS INTENDED IN COLDER AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AREAS DUE TO CALIBRATION CONCERNS.

Recalls

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Vehicle Recalls

130089009

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Expanded Availability for Remanufacture and Return (R&R) Electronic Control Modules

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet C10 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2001012—
2000112—
1999312—
1998160—
1997Viewing770—
19961611053.9
19954012157.1
19942015152.1
1993942—
1992941—
1991314—
1990322—
1989522—
1988756—
1987101—
1986722—
1985722—
1984312—
1983312—
1982432—
1981432—
1980111—
1979412—
1978111—
1977431—
1976322—
1975011—
1974031—
1973011—
1972001—
1971011—
1970011—
1968100—
1967010—
1961100—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.